Hampton Colin Image 5 Chelsea 1923

Description

Brechin, Angus born goalkeeper Colin Hamilton started his football career with Brechin Rovers in 1907 and joined Brechin City a year later. In 1909 he joined Scottish League First Division club Motherwell, and while at Fir Park he made one appearance for the Scottish League XI in November 1912 against the Irish League in a 3-1 win at Solitude, Belfast. He joined Chelsea in 1913 and made his Football League debut against Everton in April 1914, playing one further first team match for them at Bradford Park Avenue that October before the suspension of football due to the First World War.

In August 1915, one year into the War, Hampton enlisted as a gunner in the Motor Machine Gun Service. Three months later he was promoted to corporal while serving with the 28th Battery. By 1918 he had risen to the rank of sergeant and was serving as a machine gunner in the Machine Gun Corps (Motors) in Mesopotamia. Hampton was taken prisoner by the Ottoman Army later that year when his armoured car was wrecked by shellfire. He was released after the Armistice and was awarded the Military Medal in 1919. He was demobilised in May 1919 and returned to Stamford Bridge, where he stayed another 5 seasons, being the first choice goalkeeper throughout 1923. In 1924 he rejoined Brechin City after 82 appearances for The Pensioners but returned to London to join Crystal Palace in 1925, playing 3 games for them around Christmas 1925 before leaving the professional game.

Hampton’s second cousin Harry was also a footballer and they played together at Brechin City.

NB the photograph was during a match against West Ham United, probably their 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge in October 1923, Hampton deals with a cross, watched by Jack Harrow in the centre Jimmy Frew is the Chelsea defender watching on the right behind Harrow.